https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-221-Holy-Embryo-Nearly-Complete-Off-to-the-Exam/13686738/
Chapter 222: Foundation Establishment Exam with a Full Audience?
On the 333rd floor of Central Tower, Songyang City.
Zhou Yang lay on his hospital bed, his lower half empty, staring blankly out the window.
Before him, Luzhou Tower loomed into the sky, steadily rising higher than Central Tower. It felt as though he were watching the unstoppable rise of Luzhou Group—the new titan—surpassing all the old aristocratic families of Songyang City.
Zhou Yang thought to himself: "After Synthetic Food, even Synthetic Meat has hit the market. In that case, the food industry of Kunxu First Layer will soon be flooded with such products."
But he knew one thing: technology alone couldn’t guarantee market dominance.
Just like how Luzhou Group, despite possessing more advanced Synthetic Food technology, still had to partner with local companies and families to enter Songyang City’s market.
He recalled the collaboration between Luzhou Group and the three major high schools—along with their parent companies—half a year ago, focused on developing three new Physique Enhancement Technologies.
"Going further… maybe even synthetic organs."
"I heard a prominent clan in Xian Du has already begun combining bloodline techniques with Luzhou Group’s human engineering expertise."
"If that’s true, then in the future, it won’t just be food—everything from family lineage cultivation to Body Refining cultivation will be inseparable from Luzhou Group."
Yet Zhou Yang understood: this didn’t mean Luzhou Group would monopolize Kunxu First Layer. Instead, every regional power—families and corporations alike—would inevitably be forced to collaborate with the giant.
Zhou Yang thought: "Right now, the power struggles among companies and families in Songyang City are just battles for greater shares and influence in future partnerships."
"Some will fade away, erased by time. But the survivors—those who endure—will rise alongside Luzhou Group, forming a colossal entity that dominates the entire Kunxu First Layer in food, cultivation, bloodlines… and beyond."
"Facing such an inevitable tide, the Zhou Family must survive, or even rise higher. The best way? To strengthen the power of the Evil God."
He could already picture the escalating conflict in Songyang City. The Zhou Family—and he himself—would soon face a far more dangerous reality.
And the urgency only grew.
But the Zhou Family ranked low among the sixteen noble clans of Songyang. They couldn’t stand toe-to-toe with powerful houses like the Song or Le families—especially not after Wanxing Group’s blockade had dealt them a crushing blow.
In contrast…
"Rather than compete directly with other clans, why not eliminate Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen after the Foundation Establishment Exam? Seize them—along with the Evil God behind them."
Zhou Yang picked up his phone, scanning the incoming message, then exhaled slowly.
"They’ve already set out, haven’t they?"
"Once the Exam ends, Zheng Shen won’t protect you anymore."
"With our vast wealth gap, our information superiority…"
Whether by his own hand or through proxies, or even using the leverage of Evil God Cultist secrets—Zhou Yang saw it as simple. Without the shield of the Foundation Establishment Exam, the outcome would be inevitable.
"The situation is shifting too fast. Once the Exam is over, we must act immediately."
The thought sent a thrill through him. He could already picture Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen in his grasp—broken, helpless, at his mercy.
…
On the train speeding toward Xian Du City.
As his phone vibrated, Zhang Yu reached to check the message—only for his hand to twitch.
The screen suddenly switched to a video.
He tried to close it, but tapping the X button instead launched him into a shopping platform.
Staring at the “Recommended for You” ad for “Strengthening Capsules,” Zhang Yu frowned and tapped “Close” again—finally escaping.
He muttered inwardly: "Damn it… corporate warfare’s getting wilder, and these ads and data tracking are getting out of control."
"Was that Yu Xinghan’s message? The one that just buzzed in?"
Seeing the two words “Good luck” from Yu Xinghan, Zhang Yu smiled. He knew Yu Xinghan was aware he was heading to the Foundation Establishment Exam—hence the playful encouragement.
Meanwhile, in the classroom at Bailong High School.
Yu Xinghan stared at the smiling emoji Zhang Yu sent him, thinking: "Zhang Yu is strong, yes—but he’s still one generation behind the Xian Du Elders. From the last round of the Exam, the gap is obvious."
"Still, even if he doesn’t pass this time, his chances next round will be excellent."
"When we’re in the same cohort again, I’ll definitely build a good relationship with him—stay off the same track…"
Unbeknownst to Yu Xinghan, Zhang Yu was already thinking along the same lines.
"From Yu Xinghan’s hints these past few weeks… he doesn’t believe I’ll win this round. That’s why he wants to bond with me—so next time, we can secretly coordinate with A Zhen and all three of us take the Foundation Establishment Certificate."
Zhang Yu couldn’t claim absolute certainty about beating his rival, Ye Lingshao, this time.
He had no idea what improvements Ye Lingshao might have made over the past three months.
But he believed—deep in his heart—that if he gave it everything, success was still very much within reach.
Thinking this, he instinctively glanced at his Feather Scroll.
The Chain Law Diagram could hold ten techniques. After replacing eight of them, the original High School Saint Body had transformed into the Martial Dao Holy Embryo.
Since both High School Saint Body and Martial Dao Holy Embryo are six-technique sets, only one can be active at a time.
Lower-Level Martial Dao Holy Embryo (6/6):
The Holy Embryo forms—dramatically boosts resilience and self-healing from external wounds.
Upper-Level Martial Dao Holy Embryo (8/8):
The Holy Embryo matures—massively increases physical load capacity, internal healing, and grants overload capability.
The second layer of Martial Dao Holy Embryo had greatly enhanced Zhang Yu’s physical load tolerance and internal healing.
Zhang Yu thought: "Increased load capacity lets me push my body beyond limits without tearing muscles or shattering bones—raising both my explosive power and endurance."
"And with overload capability… my attacks become even more terrifying."
"Combined with enhanced internal healing—plus the earlier boost to external healing—I’ve got a second layer of protection."
"Wait… I don’t even have money for insurance anymore."
Indeed, Zhang Yu had no insurance—not because he didn’t want it, but because he’d spent nearly all his savings on techniques.
Even worse, his insurance premiums had skyrocketed.
As his cultivation level rose, so did the cost of treating injuries. Insurance companies recalculated his risk profile and raised his premiums—making it impossible to afford.
He’d once heard Fujie mention that even some foundation-level or Jin Dan-level cultivators couldn’t afford insurance, forced to cower in silence, afraid to speak up in front of anyone.
Because if a fight broke out, they couldn’t afford to pay for others’ medical bills—or their own.
Such cultivators were jokingly called “crispy elites”—fragile on the surface, one clash away from bankruptcy.
Zhang Yu thought: "But now I have Martial Dao Holy Embryo. Even without insurance, I can survive most injuries."
"My biggest weakness…?"
He glanced back at his Feather Scroll.
Dao Heart: Level 8 (89.5%)
A massive leap from before—but still lagging behind his Peak Qi Refinement levels in Martial Energy and Physical Strength.
There was no way around it. The millions he’d earned through tutoring had mostly gone into buying techniques—enough to complete eight of the ten required for Martial Dao Holy Embryo.
The only ways to boost Dao Heart were through Grief Spirit Root and school Ling Realm Quota. Reaching Level 8 (89.5%) was already pushing the limit.
But Zhang Yu knew he didn’t need to dwell on it.
He’d done everything he could.
Now, all that remained was to give his absolute best on the exam floor.
And speaking of Dao Heart levels—Bai Zhenzhen had already reached Level 10.
She was now a true Peak Qi Refinement master in Dao Heart, Martial Energy, and Physical Strength.
Zhang Yu thought: "A Zhen doesn’t have to buy so many techniques to maintain a set effect like I do. She could invest more in Dao Heart."
"But still… she only learned two new techniques in three months. Yet her technique mastery—thanks to Zhen Linggen’s genius—has pushed them to Level 10."
"Take the technique she learned in the Foundation Exam: Wan Jian Wu Zhong Jue. After refinement, it allows lightning-fast martial energy acceleration—each strike faster than the last. By the twelfth strike, she breaks the sound barrier, unleashing supersonic swordplay."
"And the two new techniques? They’re tailor-made for Arena Battles—exactly what she’s preparing for the Foundation Establishment Qualification Certificate."
As the floating city came into view beyond the window, Zhang Yu exhaled.
"We’re finally here."
"The final round of the Foundation Establishment Exam."
Thinking back on a year of relentless effort, of every sacrifice and struggle—now, the culmination was near.
His blood surged. A mix of excitement and tension he’d never felt before.
…
Stepping off the train at Xian Du City station.
Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen didn’t dare go to restaurants or drink shops.
No massage chairs either—those with unpaid fees triggered ear-piercing alarms.
They had no choice but to find an empty corner in the station, sit down, and wait.
Same old restroom. Same old website.
When Zhang Yu clicked “Enter Contest,” his body plunged downward—then snapped back into awareness.
He stood in a vast, open plaza.
And what shocked him most?
Besides the five Zheng Shen Examiners, the plaza’s perimeter was packed with audience stands—filled with countless figures staring directly at him.
"Audience?!"
Zhang Yu stared in disbelief.
"The final round of the Foundation Establishment Exam… has an audience? So many people?!"
"What in the world is going on?!"
(End of Chapter)
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